The information in this post is accurate as of 5/5/20

Elective surgery is back on the schedule for over half of US States. As COVID-19 patients began flooding into hospitals in late March and early April, many states halted any non-emergency surgeries, largely because of a fear of supply and staff shortages. The US healthcare system, while still overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has regained its footing and is moving towards getting as many elective surgeries back on schedule as it safely can. 

According to Becker’s Hospital Review, the following states have resumed at least some of their elective surgeries, and restrictions are loosening at the state level seemingly every day. Why do we care? Because now more than ever, going into surgery strong and getting out fast is important. If your state has put surgery back on the schedule, it’s time to get smart on what you can do to prevent complications and reduce your risk.

States Resuming Elective Surgeries

• Alabama – Only emergency or medically necessary surgeries will be performed until the state executive order expires 
• Alaska – Non-emergency surgeries may proceed if delaying would severely impact health or quality of life
• Arizona – Elective surgeries may resume if hospitals show they have adequate supplies and capacity
• Arkansas – Elective surgeries may resume under specific state guidelines
• California – Elective surgeries may resume except for cosmetic procedures
• Colorado – Some elective surgeries may resume with the consideration that prioritizing PPE for COVID-19 is required
• Florida – Elective surgeries may resume if the hospital has adequate supplies and bed capacity
• Illinois – Elective surgeries should be allowed to resume as of May 1
• Indiana – Only surgeries deemed “medically necessary” may resume
• Iowa – Some Elective surgeries may resume, but 30% of ICU and surgical bed space must be reserved for COVID-19 patients 
• Louisiana – Only emergency surgeries, time-sensitive surgeries and those needed to prevent further harm to a patient may resume 
• Nebraska – Elective surgeries may resume if the hospital has adequate supplies and bed capacity
• New York – Only counties “without significant risk” of a COVID-19 outbreak may resume elective surgeries
• Ohio – The decision to resume with surgery should be a joint decision between the medical provider and patient 
• Oklahoma – Elective surgeries including minor and dental procedures may resume
• Oregon – Non-emergency surgeries may resume if hospitals adhere to safety guidelines
• Pennsylvania – Elective surgeries may resume if the hospital determines they can do so without jeopardizing patient safety
• South Dakota – Elective surgeries may resume
• Tennessee – The state executive order ban has expired; elective surgeries should now be allowed to resume
• Texas – Only procedures deemed “medically necessary” may resume
• Utah – Some procedures resume per Utah Hospital Association Guidelines
• Vermont – Elective surgery should be able to resume after the expiration of the ban on May 15th
• Virginia – The state’s ban on elective surgeries ended on May 1
• Washington – Only emergency or urgent surgeries will be performed until May 18th when the state executive order ban expires
• West Virginia – Only hospitals that have applied for approval from the state Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification may resume elective procedures